Remedial Delineation and Feasibility Studies for a Manufacturing Site in Dublin

Geosyntec has been retained by a client who has been required under IPPC to address contaminated soil and groundwater issues at their manufacturing site in Ireland. The project objectives have migrated from providing peer review to leading a detailed site characterisation study and risk assessment in addition to performing laboratory and field based remedial trials. These are being used to develop designs and implement full-scale corrective action over a two year period.

Geosyntec’s Scope of Services for Remedial Delineation and Feasibility Studies for Manufacturing Site

Geosyntec’s initial involvement in the project comprised a peer review of the work undertaken by another consultant and we were subsequently retained to take the project forward.

The facility has handled a broad range of organic solvents over a 50 year operating history. Numerous potential source areas were identified from a Source Audit exercise reflecting changes in the chemical storage and production facilities used at the site during its lifetime. A review of the groundwater flow regime coupled with water quality data from their IPPC monitoring network were used to establish areas of potential concern and gaps in the current understanding of potential pollutant linkages. This work identified some areas on on-going losses which were rectified and the installation of interim containment measures where appropriate.

The main contaminants of potential concern at this site are dichloromethane, xylenes, toluene, cresols, MTBE and THF. The fate and transport of this contamination is complicated by the presence of in-ground structures, preferential migration pathways in the drift and fractured bedrock. Parallel studies of six source areas at the site have been completed and involved delineation and detailed risk assessments. The delineation studies include detailed quantitative soil gas surveys/borehole installation for source areas delineation and multilevel well installations in the drift/bedrock to assess the flux of contaminants to the adjacent river and wider groundwater quality. Numerical groundwater flow models were developed to parameterise the risk assessment and aid in the remedial design.

A remedial options assessment was undertaken and this identified a blend technologies for inclusion in the treatment train. Remedial pilot and bench-scale treatability trials have recently been completed for Dual Phase Vacuum Extraction (DPVE), In-Situ Chemical Oxidation (ISCO) and Enhanced In-Situ Bioremediation (EISB) of the main contamination source areas. Stage 1 of the remedial response is currently being installed.

Notable Accomplishments of Remedial Delineation and Feasibility Studies for Manufacturing Site

The investigation works have enabled a clear understanding of the key areas of concern at the site in terms of the type, magnitude and distribution of contamination present. They have also facilitated the identification of the principal risk drivers for corrective action to protect human health, an adjacent river and impacts to wider groundwater quality thereby minimizing the scope of remedial works required. The investigation findings have also informed site staff tasked with reviewing addressing integrity issues for their current containment measures.

About Geosyntec

Geosyntec Consultants is a consulting and engineering firm that works with private and public sector clients to address new ventures and complex problems involving our environment, natural resources, and civil infrastructure. Our engineers, geologists, environmental scientists, and other technical and project staff specialize in the areas of environmental studies and cleanup; infrastructure assessment, engineering, and design; environmental, health, and safety management; natural resources assessment and restoration; and structural extreme load analyses, fluid dynamics, and risk mitigation services. We deliver advanced solutions to clients from offices throughout the United States and at select locations in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom.

Company Information

Geosyntec's engineers, scientists, and innovators create high-value solutions for clients based in the United States, the United Kingdom and across Europe.